Ocean Carbon Sequestration Using Clay Minerals

At the March 2025 CERAWeek Innovation Agora, Professor Mukul Sharma presented groundbreaking strategies for carbon sequestration, emphasizing the potential role of marine environments in combating climate change. If successfully commercialized, his proposed solution could enable the safe sequestration of a gigaton or more of carbon dioxide (CO₂) each year.

Watch a recording of Professor Mukul Sharma's CERAWeek 2025 presentation.

A central theme of Sharma's presentation was the marine biological pump and its enhancement through the application of clay minerals. Citing the historical correlation between dust flux and global temperature changes over the past 800,000 years, Sharma posited that these dust particles could significantly contribute to carbon sequestration in ocean waters. The ocean currently removes about 150 billion tons of CO₂ annually; however, a substantial portion is re-released back into the atmosphere. By strategically introducing clay in select locations, Sharma aims to improve the efficiency of the marine biological pump, facilitating the rapid settling of carbon at great depths and effectively "burying" it. His ambitious target is to sequester over a billion tons of CO₂ per year, potentially at a cost as low as $10 per ton.

In addressing the practical implementation of this technology, Sharma highlighted the need for pilot testing. He responded to audience inquiries about deployment methods, proposing that battery-powered crop dusters could effectively distribute the clay across continental margins. Unlike ocean iron fertilization, which seeks to boost phytoplankton productivity, Sharma's approach focuses on enhancing existing productivity while mitigating risks associated with increased growth, such as harmful algal blooms and CO₂ re-release.

Sharma's work showcases promising nature-based solutions that could effectively tackle our escalating carbon emissions. Upcoming trials offer the potential to yield significant advancements in carbon sequestration, transforming our strategies for climate mitigation and fostering a sustainable future for our oceans and the planet.

CERAWeek is regarded as one of the most influential annual conferences in the energy sector, drawing nearly 10,000 executives, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and scientists from around the globe. Attendees engaged in a week filled with hundreds of discussions, covering topics such as domestic energy production, the influence of AI on energy systems, the rapid deployment of solar energy, the evolving policy landscape, and pioneering carbon capture technologies.

The Irving Institute brought 25 delegates who actively networked with industry leaders and exchanged ideas. Our faculty, staff, and affiliated startups delivered over two dozen presentations throughout the week.

• Read about Dartmouth's engagement at CERAWeek 2025
• Read about another of Professor Mukul Sharma's CERAWeek presentations: Blue Carbon: Oceans as a Key to Climate Mitigation